Sound producing device for toy vehicle



Aug. 6, 1963 w. P. DOE

SOUND PRODUCING DEVICE FOR TOY VEHICLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 6, 1961 INVENTOR.

WAL TER R DOE HIS ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 6, 1963 w. P. DOE

SOUND PRODUCING DEVICE FOR TOY VEHICLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 6. 1961 WWW m k mR 5 mm m m H A E M n H/S ATTORNE Y5.

ie tates This invention relates to action toys, and more particularly to toys of the type designed to be pushed or pulled across a supporting surface such as a floor or the like and having elements thereof which, when actuated in response to such movement, produce a regular and pleasant sound, simulating the sound of a gasoline engine or the like, one object of the invention being to provide an improved toy of the above nature.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toy of the above character which will produce the foregoing sound when it is moved backwardly as well as when it is moved forwardly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toy having the above advantages in which the sound producing mechanism is simpler and easier to construct and more durable than mechanisms heretofore known.

In the past, sound producing mechanisms have been used in which a spring finger was made to alternately move into and out of contact with a sounding member as by means of a gear or the like mounted on a shaft or other rotating part. However, these devices have not been particularly satisfactory because the positioning of the spring was critical, and in normal play, the device was often thrown out of adjustment and did not work satisfactorily. In addition to the disruption of the mechanism resulting from normal play, children were intrigued by the mechanism, and in examining the same, often managed to put it out of commission. A further disadvantage of these devices was the difficulty in shielding the device so that a child could not pinch his fingers or cut or scratch himself against the sharp edges of the spring.

Another object is to provide a toy in which the sound producing mechanism does not require the usual elongated spring member, is tamper-proof and reliable in operation, and which may be poked at and freely examined by children, without damaging the mechanism or throwing it out of adjustment.

Another object is to provide a toy of the above character in which the sound producing mechanism is free from sharp projections, rough or otherwise potentially dangerous parts and is so constructed that a child cannot pinch and wedge his fingers in playing with the mechanism, and therefore, is safe for use by young children.

Another object is to provide a toy having the above advantages which is durable, reliable in operation, and requires a minimum number of parts which may be readily and economically manufactured and assembled.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of par-ts all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a toy embodying the present invention with certain of the parts of the sound producing mechanism shown in dotted lines;

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the toy shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation on slightly larger scale substantially along the line 33 in FIG. 1 showing the sound producing mechanism;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional elevation substantially along the line -44 in FIG. 2 and showing the sound producing mechanism in its substantially at rest position.

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FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4, but shows the sound producing mechanism and the diaphragm at its fully raised position;

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 4, and shows the diaphragm in its lowermost position and substantially at the instant the sound is produced.

FIG. 7 is a sectional elevation similar to FIG. 3, showing a modified axle and actuating member construction;

FIG. 8 is a sectional elevation substantially along the line 8-8 in FIG. 7, showing the diaphragm in its fully raised position, and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentmy sectional elevation similar to FIG. 8, but shows the diaphragm in its lowered position at the time of producing the sound.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention, herein disclosed by way of illustration, is represented in the form of a small wheeled vehicle, such as a stake truck shown generally at 20, although it will be readily understood that the invention may be incorporated into any suitable type of wheeled toy, truck 26 merely being shown for the purposes of illustration.

Truck '20 preferably comprises a base or body portion 22 of wood or other suitable material, a cab portion 24- of plastic, a figurehead 26 representing the driver, a rack or further body portion 28, a front bumper and grille assembly 30, and wooden front and rear wheels 32 and34, respectively. While cab 24, rack 28 and grille assembly 30 are preferably of plastic material, they might be formed of wood, metal or other suitable material. Front wheels 32 are mounted on a transversely extending met-a1 axle 36, while rear wheels 34 are mounted on a similar axle 38, as shown in FIG. 2. Axles 36 and 38 are mounted in suitable holes 37 formed in body 22.

Base 22 is preferably formed adjacent the rear portions thereof with a recessed circular opening or bore 40 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3), which is adapted to receive porti'ons of the sound producing mechanism including a disclike diaphragm member 42, a coil spring 44- and an actuating member shown generally at 46, which is mounted on and carried by rear axle 38, as shown in FIG. 3. Diaphragm 42 is preferably circular since it is adapted to fit closely recess 40, although either may be of any desired shape. Diaphragm 42 is formed with a short depending lip or flange 48 and with an oppositely extending boss 50 adjacent the center of the diaphragm, for the purposes hereafter described.

Recess 40 is formed adjacent the center thereof with a short counter-bore 52, which is adapted to receive one end of coil spring 44, the other end of spring 44 snugly engaging boss 50. Spring 44 urges diaphragm 42 downwardly as viewed in FIGS. 3-6, against actuating member 46 for purposes hereinafter described.

Actuating member -46 is preferably of plastic or other suitable material and is formed with a square opening 54 (FIG. 4) extending longitudinally therethrough, which is adapted to receive shaft 38 which also is preferably square in cross section, as best shown in FIG. 4-6. Actuating member 46 is non-circular in cross section, and preferably is formed with a series of shoulder portions or teeth 56 which extend outwardly at a greater radial distance than the intervening portions. Although actuating member 46 may have any desired external configuration, other than circular, shoulder portions 56 must be spaced peripherally in order for the sound mechanism to operate, and I preferably form member '46 in the shape of a multi-pointed star or gear with a limited number, such as six or eight, teeth 56 spaced peripherally as shown in FIG. 4. The teeth or shoulder portions 56 extend axially for any desired length adjacent the center of the actuating member leaving bosses 58 and 60 at the opposite ends of the actuating member, as shown in FIG. 3. The total length of the member is such that it substantially extends across the full diameter of recess 40, as shown in FIG. 2 and with the provision of bosses 58 and '60, tooth portions 56 are positioned substantially in the center of the recess and will contact diaphragm 42 adjacent the center portion thereof as shown in FIGS. 3-6.

Opening 54 in actuating member 46 is preferably some- What greater in cross sectional dimension than shaft 38, so that member 46 is 'capable of limiting rotation relative to shaft 38. This loose fit provides a rocking or overriding action which is important to the successful operation of the sound producing mechanism and which can be seen in a comparison of FIGS. 4 and 6, and will be apparent from the following description of the opera tion of the mechanism. Diaphragm 42 is provided with lip portion 48 in order to prevent the diaphragm from catching in recess 40 as it is moved in opposite directions therein, or as viewed in FIGS. 4-6 upwardly and downwardly by the rotation of actuating member 46.

Starting with the parts in their positions shown in FIG. 6 and assuming that wheel 43 is turned in a counterclockwise direction, as shown by the arrow, axle 38 will move in a counterclockwise direction relative to actuatling member 46 until the parts reach approximately their positions shown in FIG. 4, at which point further rotation of axle 38 will cause member 46 to rotate therewith in the above counterclockwise direction. This rotation of actuating member 46 causes shoulder portion 56a. to contact the undersurface of diaphragm '42 and raise and tip the diaphragm until the same substantially reaches its position shown in FIG. 5, wherein the diaphragm is at its maximum upward position. Thereafter, slight additional counterclockwise rotation of shaft 38 and actuating member 46 carries shoulder portion 56a and diaphragm 42 beyond their positions of maximum elevation and as the shoulder moves past its position shown in FIG. 5, spring 44, which has been compressed by the upward movement of diaphragm 42, moves diaphragm 42 downwardly. This downward action of diaphragm 42 imparts an acceleration to actuating member 46, so that it rotates in a counterclockwise direction (faster than axle 38 and may momentarily substantially catch up with the axle as shown in FIG. 6. As diaphragm 42 is driving actuating member 46 in a counterclockwise direction, the diaphragm tends to return to substantially level position and strikes against shoulder portion 56b, which is moving upwardly due to the impetus imparted to the actuating member through diaphragm 42 and spring 44, as well as the counterclockwise movement imparted through the rotation of wheels 34 and axle 38. When shoulder portion 56b and diaphragm 42 contact each other, the result is the production of the desired sound. This action is repeated as the vehicle is moved forwardly and wheels 34 continue to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, there being the above relative rotational movement between actuating member '46 and shaft 38 as each individual shoulder or tooth sweeps by diaphragm 42. I have found that if it were not for this overriding feature whereby the acmating member 46 moves relative to shaft 38, the mechanism would not produce the desired sound, since a tight fit between the actuating member and shaft would result in the above upward and downward movement of diaphragm 42, but the movement would be the same as a cam and cam follower, so that there would be no snap action of the diaphragm into contact with the next succeeding shoulder portion which is necessary for producing the desired sound.

It will be readily seen that a similar action takes place when the toy is propelled in the opposite direction. That is, there is the same overriding movement of member 46 relative to shaft 38, but the directions of rotation and relative movement of member 46 and shaft 38 are opposite to those described above.

Thus, it will be seen that as the toy is propelled along a surface and wheels 34 are caused to rotate either in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, actuating member 46 is similarly caused to rotate in the same direction, thereby alternately moving diaphragm 42 against spring 44 and then releasing the same for movement in the opposite direction under the action of spring 44, this latter movement bringing the diaphragm into contact with the next successive shoulder portion of the actuating member and thereby making the desired sound. It will be readily understood that the actuating member may have any desired number of shoulders or teeth, the greater the number of shoulders the more rapid the sound action for any given rate of movement of the toy. It is also obvious that by changing the tension of spring 44, the size of the recess 40, the thickness and size of diaphragm 42 and the materials used in the formation of members 42 and 46, the tone and/ or volume of the sound may be altered to produce the desired sound elfects :as the toy is moved forwardly and backwardly.

In FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, I have shown a slightly modified construction wherein similar parts are shown by reference numerals which are units higher than those used in describing the construction shown in FIGS. 1-6. As shown in FIG. 7, base plate 122 is formed with a recess in which is mounted a coil spring member 144, and a diaphragm member 142. A pair of wheels 134 are mounted on a transversely extending axle 138 which is round in cross section, rather than being square, as was the case with axle 38. Axle 138 is provided with a pair of radially extending ears or lugs 139 which are adapted to engage a slot 154 in actuating member 146. Slot 154 is wider than ears 139, thereby allowing actuating member 146 limited rotational movement in opposite directions relative to shaft 13 8, in the same manner that actuating member 46 is capable of limited rotational movement in opposite directions relative to shaft 38.

In the construction shown in FIG. 7, diaphragm 142 is preferably provided with an upwardly extending lip 148 which encloses the lower end of a coil spring 144, as shown. FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 5, and shows the actuating mechanism in posit-ion with a shoulder portion 156a in engagement with the lower surface of diaphragm 142. Assuming that wheels 1'34 and shaft 138 are rotating in a counterclockwise direction as shown by the arrows in FIG. 8, shaft 138 is leading actuating member 146 and ears 139 bear against the counterclockwise edges of slot 154. However, as shoulder 156a sweeps by diaphragm 142 in a counterclockwise direction, actuating member 146 is given an acceleration in a counterclockwise direction greater than that of shaft 138 and moves ahead of the shaft to its position shown in FIG. 9, wherein ears 139 bear against the clockwise edges of slot 154. During this overriding action or movement of member 146 relative to shaft 138, diaphragm 142 and shoulder 156b come into contact with one another in the same manner as described earlier in connection with the device shown in FIGS. 1-6, thereby again producing the desired sound.

Thus, my invention provides an improved sound producing mechanism in which the actuating member bears directly upon the sound producing diaphragm without the intervention of spring or gear members as heretofore has been the case, and the above mechanism comprises a mini mum number of parts which may be readily and quickly manufactured and assembled and which provides a highly durable and satisfactory sound producing mechanism. Of course, the mechanism may be utilized with any type of wheeled vehicle. While I have designated member 22 as the base for the toy, it will be readily understood that in many instances the base and body may be a single member as is substantially the case in the present toy, or may be separate members and the sound producing mechanism may be located in either, in accordance with the above invention.

It will thus be seen that the invention accomplishes its objects and while it has been herein disclosed by reference to the details of preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such disclosure is intended in an illustrative, rather than a limiting sense, as it is contemplated that various modifications in the construction and arrangement of the parts will readily occur to those skilled in the art, Within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An action toy comprising a base having a recess formed therein, a diaphragm member positioned in said recess, means resiliently urging said diaphragm member toward the open end of said recess, shaft means mounted on said base and extending across said recess adjacent the open end thereof, an actuating member mounted on said shaft means overlying said recess and adapted to engage said diaphragm member, said actuating member having a non-circular cross section and being loosely mounted on said shaft means for allowing limited relative rotation between said actuating member and said shaft means, rotation of said shaft means causing said actuating means to rotate therewith and move said diaphragm member against said resilient means and subsequently release said diaphragm means for movement in the opposite direction against said actuating member for producing a sound.

2. An action toy comprising a base having a recess formed therein, a diphragm member positioned in said recess, means resiliently urging said diaphragm member toward the open end of said recess, shaft means mounted on said base and extending across said recess adjacent the open end thereof, an actuating member on said shaft means overlying said recess and adapted for rotation with said shaft means, said actuating member having a series of peripherally spaced shoulder portions adapted to successively engage said diaphragm member as said actuating member is rotated, means on said shaft means for mounting said for movement along a supporting surface and for rotating said shaft means, said actuating member being loosely mounted on said shaft means for limited rotational movement relative thereto in opposite directions as each of said shoulder portions moves into and out of driving engagement with said diaphragm member for moving said diaphragm member in one direction against said resilient means and subsequently releasing said diaphragm member for movement in an opposite direction against the next successive shoulder portion on said actuating member for making a sound.

3. An action toy comprising a base having a recess formed therein, a diaphragm member positioned in said recess for movement in opposite directions, means resiliently urging said diaphragm member in one direction toward the open end of said recess, shaft means mounted on said base and extending across said recess adjacent the open end thereof, an actuating member on said shaft means overlying said recess and positioned to engage said diaphragm member, means 'on said shaft means for mounting said toy for movement along a supporting surface and for rotating said shaft means in response to such movement of said toy, said actuating member having a series of peripherially spaced shoulder portions adapted to engage said diaphragm member, said actuating member being loosely mounted on said shaft for limited rotational movement relative thereto in opposite direction as successive shoulder portions move into and out of engagement with said diaphragm member, said actuating member first rotating in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said shaft means, said actuating member then rotating with and in the same direction as said shaft means as one of said shoulder portions moves said diaphragm member in its first direction, said actuating member then rotating in the same direction as said shaft means and at a faster rate than said shaft means as said one of said shoulder portions moves out of driving engagement with said diaphragm member and said diaphragm member moves in said second direction thereof into contact with the next successive shoulder portion on said actuating member for making a sound.

4. An action toy comprising a base having a recess formed therein, a diaphragm member positioned in said recess, means resiliently urging said diaphragm member toward the open end of said recess, shaft means mounted on said base and extending. across said recess adjacent the open end thereof, an actuating member on said shaft means for rotation therewith, said actuating member fitting loosely on said shaft means for limited rotation relative there-to, said actuating member having a series of peripherally spaced shoulder portions, rotation of said shaft means causing said actuating member to rotate in the same direction and move said diaphragm member in one direction against said resilient means, said actuating member moving relative to said shaft means in a direction opposite to said rotation of said shaft means prior to said movement of the diaphragm member in said first direction, said actuating member moving relative to said shaft means in the same direction as said direction of rotation of said shaft means as said one of said shoulder portions moves out of driving engagement with said diaphragm member thereby allowing said diaphragm member to move in a direction opposite to said first direction into engagement with the next successive shoulder portion on said actuating member for making a sound.

5. in an action toy, a sound producing mechanism comprising a diaphragm member, means loosely confining said diaphragm member for reciprocating movement between predetermined limits, resilient means urging said diaphragm member toward one of said limits, an actuating member engaging said diaphragm member for moving said diaphragm toward the other of said limits, shaft means extending through said actuating member, means mounting said toy for movement along a supporting surface, means rotating said shaft means in response to such movement of said toy, said actuating member loosely fitting said shaft means for limited rotation relative to said shaft means and having a series of peripherally spaced shoulder portions for engaging said diaphragm member, said shoulder portions bearing successively on said diaphragm member to momentarily move said diaphragm member toward said other of said limits against said resilient means and then release said diaphragm for movement by said resilient means into e-ngagement with the succeeding shoulder portion for making a sound.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. AN ACTION TOY COMPRISING A BASE HAVING A RECESS FORMED THEREIN, A DIAPHRAGM MEMBER POSITIONED IN SAID RECESS, MEANS RESILIENTLY URGING SAID DIAPHRAGM MEMBER TOWARD THE OPEN END OF SAID RECESS, SHAFT MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID BASE AND EXTENDING ACROSS SAID RECESS ADJACENT THE OPEN END THEREOF, AN ACTUATING MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID SHAFT MEANS OVERLYING SAID RECESS AND ADAPTED TO ENGAGE SAID DIAPHRAGM MEMBER, SAID ACTUATING MEMBER HAVING A NON-CIRCULAR CROSS SECTION AND BEING LOOSELY MOUNTED ON SAID SHAFT MEANS FOR ALLOWING LIMITED RELATIVE ROTATION BETWEEN SAID ACTUATING MEMBER AND SAID SHAFT MEANS, ROTATION OF SAID SHAFT MEANS CAUSING SAID ACTUATING MEANS TO ROTATE THEREWITH AND MOVE SAID DIAPHRAGM MEMBER AGAINST SAID RESILIENT MEANS AND SUBSEQUENTLY RELEASE SAID DIAPHRAGM MEANS FOR MOVEMENT IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AGAINST SAID ACTUATING MEMBER FOR PRODUCING A SOUND. 